The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1887-03-05
A RIDDLE SOLVED.
How Uncle Charlie Accomplished
This Feat.

Thl9 Feat.
There is no loneliness like the solitude Of
stranger among the busy thousands in the
crowded town. So felt Charles Merrill
Uncle Charlie-as he threaded hid way
through the city on New Years Day,gmany
years ago, to pay his invariable visit at his
brothers. house. Uncle Charlie loves the
country as dearly as l do. He was, at the
time of which write, a country gentIeman,
well-to-do, with all the refinement 81 edu-
cation, and the true polish of Christian
courtesy. You would know him anywhere
for man who could be trusted. In crowd
he was the man whom you would single
out, If you wished to ask q question. And
still he was just the person whom an i'm
poster would avoid. Nobody tried him with
tales Of feigned distress. Nobody offered
him gilt watches as gold, with which the
owner was compelled to part No ''confi-
dence man. approached him, for there was
you that he could see through the arch de-
vice, conceal it never so wisely The honest
applicant in real need never failed to ad-
dress him, and was seldom disappointed;
for Uncle Charlie had that species Of Free
masonry which honesty establishes among
honest people.
So it was no wonder that little girl,
scantily clad, but very neat, timidly APP
preached him and touched his arm. She
had been repulsed many times on that New
Years morning; sometimes by those who
rudely scolded or CURLY answered her,
sometimes by others who rendered her small
money to escape her Importantly. She held
handful Of small coin as if she really did
not know what to do with it, how she came
by 1t, or why people gave it to her. Uncle
at her blue arms and fingers, which trem-
bled with the cold, as in one hand she held
her money, and with the other drew her
thin shawl about her.
"Why, child" he said, with q smile the
least shade satirical, .'you should hide that
money in your pocket before you ask for
more. There is more in your hand already
than two or three pennies to buy loaf Of
bread Poor child" he added, in a kinder
tone, perhaps you have little use for q
pocket, you indulge in no Unnecessary lux
uries."
II did not ask you for money! said the
girl. sand did not ask those who gave
me this. My mother did not send me out to
beg, and we have loaf Of bread for to-day,
and one for tomorrow"
well, then, what is it!"
~ wish somebody in all this great city to
go and see my mother, for she told me to-
say that she had not a friend in the world ~
"And you could not find friend in all
this great city, and so have taken me who
come here stranger. Why, little one, you
don't think to take me in-me, right sharp
man just from the Jerseys"
20, sir, don't tease me, please. Don't
Joke with me, for am quite ready to cry.
know you are knd-hearted man. what
ever you may pretend"
Uncle Charles first thought was to shake
her on He read the newspapers, and knew
all about the tricks which are played in the
cities upon innocent travellers. The little
girl still stood shivering by his side. She
waited his decision without saving another
word; but her eager eyes furtively scanned
the passing crowd, as il looking for some
one else whom she might accost. Uncle
Charlie put his hand in his pocket
snow don't do that, for will not take
your money!
s'Well, you are strange,-beggar, he
was going to say, but he thought better of
it. go on, and will follow.n
And so they went, Uncle Charlie all the
while thinking that he would not figure in
the local columns of the newspapers, even
II he lost his watch and pocketbook He
would suffer and be silent, and no Alder
mans office should hear the story of his
wrongs. But his decent opinion Of himself
assured him that nobody could impose upon
him! No, indeedi The child, as she hur-
ried along, looked less and less like little
rogue. Uncle Charlie began TO think that
she was pretty, and as he scanned her ap-
pearance he noticed that her garments,
though scanty, were the well-saved wit
nesses Of better DAYS. She turned down a
court, and Uncle Charlie, following, soon
found himself ushered into room where he
was little expected. The single inmate was
rs much surprised as he.
Mother" said the child, ssyou said YOU
had not friend in the world. l have
brought you one" And the curious child
looked round complacently, as if she really
thought she had done a clever thing
The mothers face expressed bewildered
establishment. But in Q moment, though
unused to mirth, an involuntary smile sue
ceeded. II could be angry with you,- she
said, ''you strangest of all children. But
| know You think you have done right. And
must tell you, sir, that whatever my little
girl has said to you was Of her own notion,
and not of mine. / sent her of an errand.
hours ago, and had begun to be frightened
ut her absence. What is that you have in
your hand, Edith"
II did not ask for it., said Edith, as she
put the money on the table. 'sThey would
give it to me, and there it is. l said was
no beggarr
The mother sank into q chair, overcome
with modification, and hid her face in her
hands. The discounted child leaned against
the wall and looked steadily ut the floor.
Uncle Charlie helped himself, unlimited.
to seat, and, feeling that his watch and
purse were still safe, determined to see the
adventure out "Pretty clever acting, il it
10 acting" he thought He took in the
whole situation with his keen eyes and
failed to find any thing suspicious. The
erty. All he saw only exhibited that un-
happily common case, the falling into ne
cessity Of those who have known better
davs And Uncle Charlie could svmpatbixa